Nicco slammed the heavy wooden front door behind him. The sound reverberated through the walls of the large mansion that Nicco called home, and he was certain his father had heard it. He charged through the house with a full head of steam, destined for his father’s study located deep in the heart of the house.

The house was old-fashioned, like the Bianchi family itself. The walls were panelled with rich mahogany, and portraits of their ancestors dating back to the Renaissance adorned every wall. Family was important to Nicco’s father, or rather, the family’s history and their traditions.

“Why are Anthony Washington and his daughter Jasmine coming for dinner tonight?” Nicco demanded as he barged into the study. The wood panelling extended to this room too, and large windows behind the desk provided a view out into the expansive gardens beyond.

Nicco’s father looked up and calmly replied, “Anthony has approached me with an interesting business proposition. I decided a relaxed dinner would be the best way for us to discuss it.”

“Does this ‘business proposition’ have anything to do with marrying me off to Jasmine Washington?” Nicco asked through gritted teeth.

His father let out a frustrated sigh. “I told you weeks ago, it’s time you were settled. I’ve indulged your nonsense for too long.”

“I won’t marry someone I don’t love,” Nicco told his father firmly. He’d always tried to remain calm with his father, respectful, because Francisco demanded it. But that ability was becoming more difficult to tap into.

“Love,” Francisco scoffed. “Men in our position don’t have the luxury of marrying for love. It’s just another business transaction. Anthony Washington controls the docks on three planets in this region. A deal with Washington Consolidated Shipping, sealed with your marriage to his daughter, could be incredibly lucrative.”

It was true that his father didn’t love his mother. She was the daughter of a minor family on Pergamon, a vassal to the Bianchi’s. Her father, just as Francisco was doing now, had seen the match as a way to secure his family’s legacy, and they would become an integral part of Bianchi Enterprises.

Nicco’s parents lived under the same roof. They let everyone believe theirs was a happy marriage, but they led completely separate lives. They each had a bedroom of their own on opposite sides of the mansion, and they sat at opposite ends of the long dining table for meals, never speaking to one another. It was disheartening that his parents were essentially strangers. 

Nicco folded his arms. “You can’t make me marry someone against my will.”

He knew he was playing with fire. No doubt his father would think him selfish, but it was unfair to both him and Jasmine Washington to use them as commodities to be traded. They would be trapped in a loveless marriage. Nicco didn’t want that for either of them.

“I own enough of this planet’s officials to have them marry the two of you whether you consent or not,” Francisco told him coldly. “This marriage will happen.”

Nicco opened his mouth to respond, but a gentle beep from the computer terminal caught his father’s attention, leaving Nicco to fume silently.

He watched his father activate the terminal. The holographic avatar of Nezra Brax, the Bolian head of the Orion Syndicate’s operations on Pergamon V, appeared before them. 

“Greetings, Francisco,” Brax began with her typical friendly manner. That manner belied a ruthless streak that Nicco had witnessed more times than he cared to count.

“Good afternoon, Nezra,” he replied smoothly. Nicco moved to stand over his father’s shoulder. “What can I do for you?”

The Bianchi family had once been one of many on Pergamon V vying for power and dominance. A struggle that had been transplanted from the old country to this non-Federation world. That changed once Francisco Bianchi got into bed with the Orion Syndicate. They’d become one of the most powerful families, with expanded business operations reaching every part of Pergamon V society. They had become the Orion Syndicate’s enforcers on this world. 

Brax’s eyes flicked briefly to Nicco before focusing on his father again. “I have received some troubling reports of a pair of arms dealers recently arrived from M’Talas Prime.”

Nicco’s blood ran cold. The cover story for Liam and his fake husband was that they were from M’Talas Prime. Francisco glanced at him. Nicco had learned much from his father, including how to lie effortlessly. He shrugged at his father and shook his head.

“How long have they been here?” Nicco asked.

“Several weeks,” Brax replied. “They operate a bar somewhere, though we haven’t been able to determine where yet. We believe it to be a front for their arms business.”

That settled it. She was talking about Liam. Being on the Orion Syndicate’s radar was bad enough for them, but if Nicco’s father found out Liam was still alive, he wouldn’t remain alive for long. 

“You want us to find out more about them,” Nicco said. He didn’t frame it as a question.

Brax nodded. “Yes, Nicco. We’d like to gather as much information on them as possible before we decide on our next move.”

“Of course,” Nicco’s father replied. “I’ll put my best man on this.”

The Bolian gave his father a tight-lipped smile. “Thank you, Francisco. I knew I could trust you with this.”

Once the comm channel was cut, Nicco’s father immediately looked up. “Find out everything you can about these arms merchants. I’ll expect an update in one week.”

“Yes, sir,” Nicco replied. He should have felt some pride that he was the ‘best man’ his father referred to, but it just left him feeling empty. “About this dinner-”

“You will be there, Nicco.” His father told him sternly. “I’ll hear no more. You will be married before the end of the year. You can go.”

Nicco wanted to argue. He wanted to have it out with his father once and for all. He wanted to run off with Liam, like they’d planned to sixteen years ago; escape the planet and his father. But that dream had died long ago. He was resigned to his fate.

He turned on his heel and marched out of his father’s study. If his father ever found out that he knew Liam was still alive, Nicco was certain that whatever punishment his father meted out would be severe, though Nicco was firm in his belief that his father wouldn’t kill him. 

At least not until you’ve given him a grandchild, he thought glumly.

If his father caught up with Liam, he would have him murdered. Nicco couldn’t let that happen. He needed to warn Liam and his fake husband that the Syndicate were onto them. He could feed his father and Brax false information, but that would be able to keep his father at bay for so long, but eventually, Francisco would find out the truth. Time was not on their side.

Since running into Liam at the Casino Night, Nicco had already done his research. He knew where their bar was and where they were living. Rushing out of the house immediately after the meeting would look suspicious. Nicco had to play it cool so as not to draw attention.

The sky was rapidly darkening by the time he arrived at the bar. Fresh snow settled on the ground, and a bitter wind rushed down the street. Nicco stepped inside, the warm air a welcome relief from the cold outside. The bar was busy, with most tables occupied and the noise of multiple conversations happening simultaneously.

The man Nicco knew as Marcus Pierce was standing behind the bar while a Bajoran man served a customer.

“What do you want?” Marcus asked.

Nicco wasn’t sure what he’d done to earn the hostility that radiated from Marcus. “I need to speak to you and your husband.”

“Nicco,” Liam’s voice conveyed his surprise at Nicco’s presence in the bar. “What are you doing here?”

Marcus spoke before Liam could answer. “Says he needs to speak to us.”

“Privately,” Nicco quickly added.

Liam looked between them. “Come back.”

Nicco followed Liam into the area behind the bar. They ended up in a small office with an old couch. “What’s going on?” Liam asked.

“The Orion Syndicate knows about your operation,” Nicco explained. “I’ve been tasked with tracking you down.”

He watched them both tense. “Are you here to turn us in?”

“Of course not,” Nicco told him indignantly, his eyes firmly on Liam. He swallowed hard. “I could never do that.”

Marcus turned to Liam. “We need to tell Tolas.”

“Who’s Tolas?” Nicco asked, his brow furrowed.

Liam’s face paled as Marcus replied, “Our handler.”

“Handler?” Nicco looked from Liam to Mitchell. “Why do mercenaries need a handler?”

Marcus looked confused. “Mercanaries?”

“Yeah,” Nicco said before looking at Liam. “That’s what you told me.”

It was clear from the look on Liam’s face that it had been a lie. Nicco kept his features neutral, but the revelation that Liam had lied to him, again, cut him deeply.

“If not mercenaries, then who are you?” Nicco demanded.

Liam softly replied, “We’re with Starfleet.”

“What does Starfleet want on Pergamon?”

Marcus and Liam looked at one another briefly before Liam answered, “We’re here to get close-”

“What are you doing?” Marcus interrupted.

Liam sighed. “What I should’ve done from the beginning. Tell the truth. We’re here to get close to a Romulan named Niran Syral. We believe he has information on the location of a kidnapped Starfleet Officer, Thomas Forrester.”

“I know the Romulan,” Nicco told them. They’d met on a number of occasions along with his associate, Vellora. “I don’t recognise your missing officer’s name.”

That news didn’t seem to surprise Liam. “I have no right to ask this, but-”

“I’m not going to give you to my father,” Nicco told them, correctly anticipating Liam’s question. “I can draw my investigation out, but that’ll only work for so long.”

Liam looked relieved. “Thank you. We’ll take whatever time you can buy us.” He glanced at Marcus. “Can you give us a minute?”

Marcus said nothing. He scowled at Nicco and bumped his shoulder on his way out the door. Neither Liam or Nicco spoke immediately. They silently held each other’s gaze for what seemed like a minute.

Nicco folded his arms. “I won’t lie to you, Li. It hurts that you lied to me. I mean, I can understand why you did, but it still hurts.”

“I’m sorry.” Liam looked at his shoes as he spoke. 

Stepping into his personal space, Nicco placed a hand on Liam’s toned chest. Liam raised his head and met Nicco’s intense gaze.

“No more apologising,” Nicco whispered. “Sixteen years is a long time. You didn’t know if you could still trust me, or if I’d turned into a carbon copy of my father.”

He could see Liam’s blue eyes soften. “You could never be him.”

“I hope not,” Nicco replied with a lopsided smile. The thought of becoming his father sent a shiver down his spine. “You did what you thought best.”

Nicco leaned in and pressed his lips against Liam’s. The kiss was slow, tender, and said much without needing words. 

“I need to go,” Nicco said when they finally broke their kiss. “I have a dinner I can’t miss.”

Being alone with Liam, he could forget his problems for a few minutes as he lost himself in Liam’s embrace. But now that reality was intruding on them, it felt like a weight was pushing down on him with increasing force. 

“Can I see you again?” Nicco asked.

Liam hesitated. For a brief moment, Nicco thought he would say no. He braced himself for the rejection. 

“Why don’t you come by the apartment sometime?” Liam’s face lit up.

Nicco returned the smile. There was little in his life that gave him reason to smile these days. “I’d like that.” He leaned in and kissed Liam again. “I’ll see you later.”

Leaving the bar quickly, Nicco was alert to any signs of being followed, but there were none. In a few short minutes, Nicco was back in his skycar and hurtling through the skies of Pergamon, heading for home. He would have to rush to be ready in time for the dinner his father was insisting on.

He found his mind turning back to Liam. Kissing him, it had been like no time had passed at all. He would do whatever it took to protect the man he loved, no matter the cost.